DécorLe Baron: The pink-hued lighting, salaciously clever wallpaper, and comfy couches evoke
a brothel minus the sinister undertones
Westway: The old strippers’ runway and dance floor are what pass for ambience in an intentionally pared-down space

MusicLe Baron: Pleasantly odd French tunes and pop surprises cut with happy house

The LineLe Baron: Tough but reasonable—
if you dress well, don’t
arrive in a group that resembles a walking frat party, wait patiently
in line, and aren’t rude to impossibly handsome, smoldering doorman
Will, you may still not make it in, but you’ll be treated with respect
Westway: Also tough but reasonable. Fancy clothes and commitments to spend heavily are not particularly valued—
just be polite and
wait your turn

Cab CoverageLe Baron: There are taxis out front, but if you’re there especially late, you may find yourself scouring
Pell Street or Doyers Street for a ride home
Westway: Plenty of cabs on Clarkson Street, plus it’s not far to Greenwich Street or Hudson Street, where you’ll find leagues of cabs and cars fleeing the meatpacking district

Winner
Nothing against Westway, whose seedy, dancy vibe can make for a great night, but Le Baron is a blockbuster: extravagantly envisioned and perfectly executed.

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So what exactly does “best” mean in a city with thousands of pizza joints, hundreds of celebrity masseuses, and museum-worthy concept shops on every corner? Well, in the case of this, our annual “Best of New York” roundup, there’s a heavy emphasis on what’s new or what has somehow remained virtually unheard of (until now, of course).